Fiona Barton is back! Local Gone Missing marks a fresh start after her highly successful Kate Waters series, introducing us to a brand-new protagonist, Detective Elise King. But the real star for me? Elise’s sidekick, the wonderful and sassy 60-year-old Ronnie.
If you love a mystery that peels back the layers of a “quiet” community, this one is for you.
Quick Book Info
- Title: Local Gone Missing
- Author: Fiona Barton
- Genre: Psychological Thriller / Police Procedural
- Themes: Small-town secrets, recovery, community dynamics
My Rating
The Plot: Trouble in Ebbing
The story takes us to the small seaside town of Ebbing. When a local man named Charlie goes missing, Detective Elise King finds herself drawn into the investigation.
But Elise isn’t at her full strength—she’s currently recovering from cancer and the grueling after-effects of chemotherapy. Despite this, she’s keen to get back to what she loves, so she begins her investigation on the sly.
A Sassy Sidekick and Hidden Secrets
Much of the “nudging” Elise gets comes from her neighbor, Ronnie. At 60 years old, Ronnie is effervescent, sassy, and was easily the highlight of the novel for me. Together, they navigate a town that feels like a churning volcano hidden behind closed doors. Between a mysterious drug overdose and “Dee,” the invisible cleaner with her own shady dealings, the secrets in this community could fill a mountain.
My Review: A Slow Burn with a Brilliant Finish
Fiona Barton uses multiple narratives and a mix of past and present timelines to create a confounding feel. I’ll be honest: until about the 50% mark, I wasn’t that invested. The POV count is high, and characters are introduced “left, right, and center,” which can feel a tad confusing at first.
However, once the threads begin to take shape and the voices become distinct, the plot thickens significantly. The second half of the book is a masterclass in tension, leading to a brilliant finish.
Why you should read it:
- The incredible dynamic between Elise and Ronnie.
- The atmospheric seaside setting.
- A complex web of “twisty morsels” that keep you guessing.
Favorite Quotes
“How long do you have to live here to be a local? Is there a secret waiting list?”
“She’s an invisible presence in many of the houses in town, but she sees and hears everything,”
About The Author
Fiona Barton’s debut, The Widow, was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and has been published in 36 countries and optioned for television. Her second novel, The Child, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Born in Cambridge, Fiona currently lives in Sussex and south-west France.
Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards.
While working as a journalist, Fiona reported on many high-profile criminal cases and she developed a fascination with watching those involved, their body language and verbal tics. Fiona interviewed people at the heart of these crimes, from the guilty to their families, as well as those on the periphery, and found it was those just outside the spotlight who interested her most . . .
More by Fiona Barton
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